Worship Ministry Philosophy

Philosophy of Worship
(c) 2007, Open Door Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC.

The Giving of Ourselves in Worship to the Glory of God

Worship is a joyful offering given to God. It is to be the right response of the creature to the glorious Creator who has revealed Himself. Worship is to be an active part of the Christian’s life, both personally and corporately. The local church is to gather regularly, uniting a congregation of worshipers into a unified whole to engage with God, exhort one another, and be an example to unbelievers. The following principles apply to corporate worship:

1. God-exalting: Worship is focused on the Triune God. Believers can boldly approach the throne with holy confidence on the basis of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are created to worship God and to enjoy him. Corporate worship should flow from the lives of believers as they find gladness and joy in God above all things.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31

Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Ps. 2:11

Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Ps. 95:6

Jesus answered him, “It is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ “ Luke 4:8

2. Scripturally-grounded: God’s Word is central to worship. Hearing and understanding Scriptural truth is necessary for teaching, admonishing, application, and the changing of lives. The songs, prayers, readings, testimonies, preaching, baptisms, communion, and all the worship elements (sacred actions) should be permeated by the Word of God. As for congregational singing, the content of worship songs is more important than the particular style in which they are sung. Church music should be doctrinally sound and God-centered.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Col. 3:16

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom. 10:17

Let my soul live that it may praise You, And let Your ordinances help me.
Ps. 119:175

But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. John 4:23

3. Spirit-empowered: We are to worship the Triune God in spirit and in truth. Congregational worship must bring glory to God the Father, exalt Jesus Christ as Lord, and be controlled by the Holy Spirit. The body of Christ established in God’s love should yearn to be filled with all the fullness of God.

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 4:24

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:14-19

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . Eph. 5:18-20

4. Congregational: The local church is to be led regularly in corporate worship to lift up their hearts and voices to engage with God, exhort one another, and be an example to unbelievers. Heaven will be a place of worship where all believers from every tongue, tribe, and nation will participate. The local church should guard against a spectator mindset. While the body of Christ serves using their gifts and abilities, it is essential that every person in the congregation have opportunity to express worship to the Lord. A congregation of believers should be passionate about their worship of God and actively involved whenever the church gathers. The pastors and worship leaders serve as the congregation’s teachers and examples of God-honoring worship expressed in love, humility, and obedience.

Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You.
Psalm 67:3

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.
Acts 2:46,47

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul.
Acts 4:32

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3

5. Authentic: Worship is for believers who genuinely love and adore God. It is for those who desire to express their joy in Christ and gratefulness for salvation. Worship is not entertainment, but rather a sincere act of one’s heart. The forms of worship should be conducive to carrying the message, be relevant to the present culture, and promote unity in the local church. Vain worship is characterized by convenience, lack of preparation, mindless participation, and irreverence. Heartfelt worship is marked by sacrifice, preparation, focus, and reverence.

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. Psalm 63:3-5

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2

6. Artistic beauty: Time and preparation should be made in planning worship services. Musicians, technicians, and other church artists will use their gifts, abilities, and creative energies to enhance the experience of worship. An appreciation for the arts should be expressed and creative elements added to enhance the beauty, drama and emotion of the worship event, so that God would be glorified, the saints would be edified, and unbelievers would fear the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. Psalm 33:23

7. Seamless and orderly: All of the elements that make up a worship service should flow seamlessly and be conducted in an orderly fashion to prevent distractions and to promote continued focus on the One who is worthy of our full attention. As a church, it is our preference to plan thematically so the entire corporate worship service will flow from one main passage of Scripture. Worship services should be planned with purpose and intentionally aimed for the glory of God.

Now even the first [covenant] had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. Hebrews 9:1

But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
1 Cor. 14:40

8. Multi-sensory: Worship should fully engage the whole person to respond to all that God is. Care and attention should be given to the auditory and visual aspects of worship. The ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper touch upon a variety of the physical senses. Corporate worship can be expressed in a variety of ways: silence, prayer, reading Scripture, preaching, singing, testimony, praising, reflecting, etc. However it may be expressed, corporate worship is designed to glorify God as His truth is reflected in the hearts of all his children.

Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. Psalm 149:3

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 1 Cor. 11:26